Border wall funds could be diverted from pool meant for California wildfire relief
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MARCH 08: Two of U.S. President Donald Trump's border wall prototypes stand (CENTER R) beyond the current border fence as seen from the Mexico side of the US/Mexico border on March 8, 2018 in Tijuana, Mexico. President Trump will pa
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to look at using emergency funds that Congress approved for disaster relief to build a border wall with Mexico. That's according to a congressional aide familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly.
The aide said the $13.9 billion has been allocated but not yet obligated through contracts for a variety of projects in California, Florida, Texas, other states and Puerto Rico, which have experienced hurricanes, wildfires or other natural disasters.
The money funds a variety of projects, mostly flood control to prevent future disasters.
President Donald Trump is considering invoking emergency powers to build the wall. His demand for the wall funding led to the partial government shutdown.